May 31, 2010

Acts 18
Pastor JoAn Blackmon

I’ve lived in 7 states and changed addresses about 20 times in my life and every single time I thought I had perfectly good reasons for moving to the next place. But as we learned in the last chapter, and what I’m not sure I realized each time I moved, is this--- God had already picked out each residence for me. (“From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26 NIV)

We can understand why God so carefully positions where we live and work in this 18th chapter of Acts. “…Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had been expelled from Italy as a result of Claudius Caesar’s order to deport all Jews from Rome.” Acts 18:1-2

If you follow the story of Paul’s life, we find that Aquila & Priscilla became dear friends of his. In fact, almost immediately they invited him to live with them and work with them. (18:3) They joined Paul for part of his missionary travels (18:18), opened their home as a meeting place for the early church (Romans 16:5) and mentored other rising church leaders (Acts 18:24-28) resulting in tremendous success. In fact, when Paul sent them greetings in writing to the Romans (16:3-5) he called them co-workers in his ministry and thanked them for risking their lives to save his!

How did this amazing ministry team get its start? Because a couple of newcomers shook hands and introduced themselves. Because somehow in their conversation, they found shared faith. And because coincidentally, their partnership just made sense.

Today, why don’t you thank the Lord for positioning you in a strategic place for the Kingdom of God? Thank Him that not far from your home or business address, is someone you can encourage and help in some way. Then look for ways to make it happen. After all, it’s why He put you there!

Did you know? Pastor JoAn worked in the area of finance and investments for 10 years before transitioning to church pastoral ministry.

May 28-30, 2010

Acts 17
Pastor Farrell Lemings

If you had a book that held all the secrets to effectiveness in life, how to resolve all your problems, and how to find joy and fulfillment…would you read it? I am guessing that you would purchase the book and dig into it with great excitement and intentionality.

The good news is that you already have the Book! God our Creator fashioned a Manual to tell us how to get the most out of life. The One who made us knows what we need “to be” and “to do” for effectiveness, and He laid it out in the Bible.

The next part is up to us. We have to read the Book.

In Acts 17, we read that Paul came to the town of Berea during his missionary travels and discovered a group of people that were open and responsive to the gospel message. Yet what is amazing about the Bereans is their eagerness to examine the Scripture: “…they received the message with great eagerness and examined The Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

They heard the message from Paul, but wanted to make sure that what he was saying was in alignment with God’s Word that had been established in the Old Testament. What a great model for us to follow! We don’t want our theology – or understanding of God - to be shaped by our experience or simply by what someone else says. Like the Bereans, we need to search out God’s Word daily to discover His truth for our lives. As we learn the Truth and apply it, our lives will be changed.

I challenge you to be a student of God’s Word and discover the fullness that God has for your life.


In addition to his multi-faceted role as Grace Covenant Church’s Lead Pastor, Pastor Farrell is collaborating with ministry teams to develop “The Father’s Heart” and marriage ministries in this season.

May 27, 2010

Acts 16
Lynell McCrary

Has the Holy Spirit blocked your route?

We often ask God to “close the door” or “open the door” to various decisions and opportunities. In Acts 16, Paul and Timothy give us an example of what it looks like to follow the Lord, even when they find “closed doors.”

As they traveled Europe, sharing the Good News, they planned out their geographical path. After going through Galatia, their intention was to head to Asia. Yet in verse 6, we read that they were “kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the Word in the province of Asia.” Again in verse 7, we read that “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” go into Asia.

They could have given up and called it quits, yet they chose to continue. Although Paul and Timothy didn’t know what the road would bring, including beatings and jail time, they knew how to recognize the Holy Spirit and His guidance.

As you and I make daily decisions and live our lives for Christ, we should:

• Be active in our pursuit of sharing Christ with others
• Look for and listen to communication from the Holy Spirit
• Remember that nothing takes God by surprise

When is the most recent time that you noticed the Holy Spirit in your life?


Lynell oversees various aspects of “Connections,” helping us connect relationally within the Grace Covenant family, as well as discover opportunities for ministry involvement.

May 26, 2010

Acts 15
Pastor Derek Floyd

As I begin to write this devotional, my spirit applauds the early church for addressing an issue that could have split it if not handled carefully. The question raised by the Judaizers (aka converted Pharisees): “Should Gentile believers be made to follow the laws of Moses in order to be saved?” The truth is that as the Judaizers formed this question, they were actually making a statement: "Since these men are different from us, they should be treated as different - or less than."

As a man of color, I am struck that there are still houses of worship in our country that would not offer me the hand of Christian fellowship because I look different or because my heritage was once defined by slaves and slave owners. All of us have beliefs, some of them quite fervent. Although we have our traditions, convictions and compelling life experiences, the ultimate question is, “What does the Word of God say?”

These early church leaders, consisting of Judaizers and Gentile Christians - along with Peter, James, Paul and Barnabas - met to hear all sides of the debate. In Acts 15, we read that they crafted a Godly solution. We are a united church today - one in Christ - because what God said was more important than someone’s place of origin. Jesus is for everyone - Jew, Gentile, bond and free. It’s been more than 2,000 years since that historic crossroad, and God’s Church must still follow the road signs today.


Pastor Derek facilitates corporate worship in collaboration with musicians in our bands, Worship Choir and vocal praise teams.

May 25, 2010

Acts 14
Pastor John Edwards

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, our privilege and responsibility are to present a confrontational gospel – not a coddling one. While love must mark our interaction with others, it doesn’t suggest retreating from the truth that there is only One Way to Heaven – by surrendering one’s life to Him. Acts 14 challenges you and me to present that truth with resolve, not self-preservation.

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas were the talk of the town...yet they weren’t about to receive a ceremonial key to the city! Their confrontation of the prevailing culture made them the targets of a planned attack.

Next stop…Lystra, where they confronted the tradition of Greek-god icons Zeus and Hermes. This time, the opposition took its best shot at Paul, stoning and dragging him out of the city. His response? Get up and do it again in the next city!

Yet it’s the depiction in verse 21b-23 that challenges me most. Paul and Barnabas returned to the very places where they had faced vicious opposition. It was an unwavering resolve to “strengthen the disciples and encourage them to remain true to their faith.”

As you and I resolve to penetrate our culture with the confrontational truth of God’s Word, we can’t control the circumstances – or the reaction of others. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

It’s a privilege and responsibility to affirm what we believe, live it out daily and take as many people as possible with us along the journey. As those “committed to the grace of God for the work” (verse 26), we don’t deserve the honor, but we must embrace the opportunity with resolve.

It’s His will for us.


Pastor John facilitates strategic planning, while developing public information/ communications direction and serving in collaborative oversight of “Grace Leadership Network” development.

May 24, 2010

Acts 13
Pastor Wil Mouer

Opposition to the Gospel

There are times when we will experience “roadblocks” and obstacles in pursuit of advancing the gospel. Paul and Barnabas experienced this in their missionary journeys, with one of these instances recorded in Acts 13.

Also referred to as “The Acts of the Apostles,” this book describes the apostles’ aggressiveness with the gospel. They advanced the kingdom of God boldly, under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 13:49-52, we read about opposition that Paul and Barnabas faced while ministering in Antioch. Although there was great fruit from their ministry in this region, a group arose that resisted the truth. Verse 50 tells us that “they expelled them from their region.” I try to imagine how discouraged Paul and Barnabas must have felt after experiencing such opposition to the Lord’s work, yet we can learn a lot by their response. Verse 51 reveals that they “shook off” this rejection and moved on to the next assignment.

We need to ask ourselves how well we are doing at advancing the kingdom. We probably won’t experience the same type of resistance to the gospel that Paul and Barnabas did, yet we need to recognize that there is resistance. The enemy is at work to oppose the spread of the gospel. It is our job to be led by the Spirit in our daily lives, so that we allow God to use us as ministers of truth. When we purpose to do this, we must face the reality that we will encounter resistance. Let’s learn from this example of how to “shake off” the opposition and keep moving forward.

Pastor Wil directs “NextGen” (6th-12th grade and college-age) ministries, developed the “defy” curricula for middle and high students and serves periodically on the weekend teaching team.

May 21-23, 2010

Acts 12
Pastor Jon Wehner

How many “get out of jail free cards” do we get in a lifetime?

Acts 12 records an incident in which Peter was in jail, with an impending death sentence. It took nothing short of a string of miracles to free him from prison. “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating’." (Acts 12:11)

Try reflecting back upon your life for a moment, acknowledging supernatural circumstances when God provided deliverance. Some freedoms may have come at a cost, while others may have simply been the surrendering of your will. Certain challenging situations have been self-inflicted, while others may have been frustrated through the actions of others.

The good news is that God is still in the deliverance business. Peter’s liberation did not go in vain. He went on to launch the Christian church. What will our legacy be…as we celebrate our continued liberation through Christ?

Pastor Jon oversees “Fusion” (single adult ministries) and is the “Monday Night Church” venue pastor.

May 20, 2010

Acts 11
Pastor Paul Turbedsky

Acts 11:19–29 - What’s in a name?

We all have names and titles that set us apart from others. Names and titles carry with them implied expectations and behaviors.

For example, my family name is Turbedsky. I am expected to uphold the honor and heritage of my family name just as my father, grandfather and great grandfather did when he came to the United States through Ellis Island. My title is “Pastor,” accompanied by an expected decorum of behaviors, attitudes and actions reflecting it.

The early followers of Christ were referred to and called themselves believers, disciples, saints, the church or the way. It wasn’t until the gospel message reached Antioch that the followers of Christ began to be called “Christians,” and this was mostly by nonbelievers and outsiders. According to Roman and Greek cultural norms, the method of designating a person’s followers was to add “ian” to the end of the leader’s name – and that is how the term Christian was created.

As noted earlier, a name or title gives rise to expectations of behaviors, attitudes and actions. These things marked someone as a Christian in the early days of the church:

• Thirst to learn the scriptures as taught to them by Barnabas and Saul (verse 26)


• Insatiable desire to share the good news of Jesus wherever they went (verses 20-21)


• Going and doing for others according to their abilities (verse 29)

These three aspects should be every bit as true for 21st-century Christians as they were for those in the first century:

• Are you a lifetime learner of the Word?


• Do you let your light shine and share the gospel message with others?


• Do others know that you are a Christian, a Christ follower, by the things you do and how you treat others?

So, what’s in a name? When it’s “Christian,” it’s a lot.

Pastor Paul oversees visitation, benevolence and other aspects of congregational care, along with “Senior Saints” (senior adult ministries) and “Men of Grace” (men’s ministries).

May 19, 2010

Acts 10
Pastor Stan Wilson

Consider this. What if three verses of the Bible were devoted to giving a snapshot of you in the current season of your life? What words would be used to describe who you really are today? Beyond a narrative of your personal and career accolades, what words would be used to describe your character and spirituality? When others read about you, if they decided to follow your model, would it lead to greater spiritual formation?

I would imagine that you, like me, find a bit of discomfort when truly pondering these questions. I believe that this discomfort is actually healthy when it leads to a sincere desire for godly change. What might such change look like?

In Acts 10:1-3, we find a description of a man named Cornelius. In his brief biography, we find a four-fold model of a life that pleases God and one that we can all imitate:

• Committed to a lifestyle of worship


• Influenced his family with his godly convictions


• Gave generously to those in need


• Was a man of prayer

As you place the model of Cornelius over your own life, is there a healthy discomfort? Can you identify an area in which you have a desire for genuine change? If so, stop and offer that area to the Lord right now. Ask for His help and commit to receive it. You’ll be glad you did.

Pastor Stan manages worship and community teams, while directing Sunday morning worship services/communication and serving on weekend and midweek teaching teams.

May 18, 2010

Acts 9
Pastor Luke Lang

We all have THAT relative or friend who is just ornery.

We’ve been praying for him or her for years, and the person has just gotten meaner and more selfish. We start thinking that maybe he/she is a lost cause.

Acts 9 gives us an extra helping of hope through the story of Saul/Paul.

Saul was a Pharisee who was so passionate in his hatred of Jesus that he became a professional Christian-killer! He was an enemy of God - the Osama bin Laden of his day. He aggressively tried to destroy the Christian community. While on a mission to Damascus, Saul got knocked off of his high horse (literally) by a bright light show and met the object of his hatred….Jesus!

Rather than payback, he experienced the truly amazing grace of the Master! Saul got a new chance, new life, new mission and a new name…Paul. From that point, he became the most influential Christian who ever lived, and wrote most of the New Testament. He gave his life for the cause that he tried to destroy.

Paul’s story is undeniable proof that no one is beyond the reach of love and the grasp of grace. Not you, not your ornery family member….no one! God gets hold of us and changes our life, our mission and our name:

• The hopeless becomes chosen one.


• The worthless becomes priceless.


• The lonely becomes loved.


• The lost becomes found.


• The dead becomes alive.

Pastor Luke is the assistant director of student ministries, including oversight of “The Tribe” ministry to 6th, 7th and 8th graders.

May 17, 2010

Acts 8
Pastor Jeff Allen

I was recently talking to some people in a children’s ministry class about how we influence others and how our actions mark those that are watching.

Think of it this way: a permanent marker is…permanent. It is very difficult to erase permanent markers, and often impossible. Although their marks can fade and become less apparent, they often remain forever.

My four year old loves to be like her older sister and always wants to play with the permanent markers. However, she doesn’t quite understand that it can last for a very long time and have damaging consequences.

Acts 8 opens with “Saul was one of the official witnesses at the killing of Stephen” (NLT). We know that Stephen was a godly man who was killed because of his passion for preaching the gospel. We also know that Saul would seem to have been an impressionable young man, since verse 3 says that “Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail” (NLT). This was an individual marked by an experience.

Imagine yourself holding a permanent marker. For each of your actions, you make a mark that others are watching. You could be marking your spouse, kids, neighbors, co-workers or even strangers. If you knew the marks that you were leaving on others would last a lifetime, would you still leave them?

Pastor Jeff oversees “The Studio” ministry to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

May 14-16, 2010

Acts 7
Pastor Michelle Hoverson

Have you ever met another Christ-follower whose walk with the Lord moved you to examine your own life? I call these people “living mirrors.” The sincerity of their relationship with Christ causes me to look at aspects of how I am living my life for Christ.

Stephen, part of whose story is recorded in Acts 7, is one of those “living mirrors.” He challenges me as a disciple of Jesus. As the first recorded martyr to die for his faith in the New Testament, his bold stand for Christ moves me to examine my own faith-walk and ask:

• How many risks do I take to make the gospel known?


• Am I able to clearly communicate why I believe that Jesus is The Way?


• How well does my life reflect my desire to be a fully-devoted follower of Christ?


• Would I shed blood for the sake of the Gospel?


• Is my journey with Jesus having an impact on anyone, like Stephen’s had on Saul (Paul)?

Even in Stephen’s final words on this earth (verse 60), he was a “living mirror.” In the forgiveness extended to those throwing verbal and physical stones at him, he showed how much he had become like Jesus.

Imagine the impact of our lives if it could be said of each of us, “you sure do remind me of Jesus.”

Pastor Michelle manages care and reach teams, oversees global and community outreach, leads the development of wholeness ministries and serves on the weekend and midweek teaching teams.

May 13, 2010

Acts 6
Pastor Paul Glenn

Each of us will eventually have to stand up for our faith in Christ. It could be to a neighbor, coworker or just an acquaintance. Will we have answers to all the questions/challenges? Will we become argumentative? How will we handle that day? No one wants to lose an argument or look stupid.

When Stephen was opposed by the Sanhedrin, Acts 6:10 records that “…they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit” speaking through him. The Sanhedrin actually resorted to making up charges against Stephen rather than lose this exchange. Stephen did not allow his demeanor to turn argumentative or defensive. Verse 15 reports that his countenance was almost angelic.

How can we respond similarly? By advance preparation. I am not recommending extensive training. However, we should be like Stephen, “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (verse 5). We must know what we believe, be willing to stand up for Him, and be full of the Holy Spirit. Then God will give us words as He did for Stephen. If you have never asked God for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to do so in order to live a Spirit-empowered life.

Pastor Paul oversees financial, property, personnel and other church business-related operations.

May 12, 2010

Acts 5
Mike Schwiebert

I have to say that the Acts 5 story of Ananias and Sapphira is very extreme. I don’t usually think of Christianity in terms of killing people. After all, we are the ones that don’t judge. We are the ones that offer life.

So why were the apostles, at such an early point in the church’s history, involved in this capital justice? What possible glory could God get out of a result that produced great fear in the body of Christ? (verses 5 and 11)

Here’s my take on it. From our perspective, the reason that this may seem a little extreme is that we do not see lying the same way that God does. Jesus tells us that satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Lying is his native language. When we lie, we are aligning ourselves with the forces of Hell and communicating in the language of the devil. Lies cannot coexist with God. They bring death.

Acts does not record that the first Christian adulterer or thief felt God’s instant justice. However, the first liars did.

I think that He is trying to get our attention.

Father, I need your help to always speak in Your language, the language of truth and love.

Mike serves as Media Director, including oversight of video, audio, duplication and in-service graphic support functions.

May 11, 2010

Acts 4
Pastor Jason Yon

The book of Acts shows us that as the church was beginning, the power of the Holy Spirit was at work. The Holy Spirit was at work in the hearts of the people, but His power also gave boldness to the apostles.

In Acts 4, we notice that the Holy Spirit was continuously filling the disciples, and the disciples were becoming increasingly bolder in their witness. Along with that, the opposition began. The Sanhedrin ordered them to speak no more about Jesus, but Peter and John BOLDLY told them, “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (verse 20)

Then they went to pray with the other believers, and catch what they prayed – “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with GREAT BOLDNESS” (verse 29). The place was shaken, and they were again filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke boldly.

Jesus commanded us to go and tell the world about Him, and He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us with BOLDNESS to go and do exactly that. The early apostles were threatened and eventually killed for their boldness. Yet they trusted and believed in God, continuing to speak the Word with GREAT BOLDNESS!

We must also seek the Holy Spirit. Call on Him to fill you with His power to speak the Word of God to people around you with BOLDNESS! Be filled and be BOLD!

Pastor Jason oversees birth-5th grade children’s ministries and directs the “Winner’s Circle” ministry to kindergarten-2nd graders.

May 10, 2010

Acts 3
Pastor JoAn Blackmon

Two men, on their way to church, walked by a handicapped man. He raised his voice, lowered his eyes and said something like, “Hey, got any cash you can give a crippled man today?”

He’d seen Peter and John before and perhaps they had seen him, for this was his everyday place - right outside the front entrance of the church. And this was his everyday job - begging for somebody to help him. And evidently somebody always did, because he was still surviving.

Peter and John had no money in their pockets - they had actually pooled everything they had with the other new Christians. Empty wallets aside, money was not the answer today.

“Look! Really look at us!” Peter coaxed the man to make eye contact. “We don’t have what you’re asking for, but we do have what you need.” And with that, Peter spoke faith into the man’s heart and declared his healing in the name of Jesus Christ. That wasn’t all. This newly Spirit-filled, formerly fearful disciple, took the man by the hand and helped him up…walked him into the Temple courts and then gave him some space…back and forth the healed one walked excitedly, up and down he jumped, inside and out he was praising God!! The writer described the scene with words like “wonder,” “amazement,” and “astonished” and tells us a bit further in the story that a whole bunch of people made a decision to follow Christ that day.

My question for you to ponder is this - what if Peter and John had money in their pocket that day?

Could it be that sometimes we don’t have what people are asking us for, so that we will share with them what they really need instead?

Pastor JoAn manages equipping and discipleship teams, oversees “Women of Grace” (women’s ministries) and serves on the weekend and midweek teaching teams.

May 7-9, 2010

Acts 2
Pastor Farrell Lemings

It happened just like Jesus said that it would. In John 16, we read Jesus’ promise to the disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, but that He would send the Comforter - the Holy Spirit. Jesus had directed the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the power to do Kingdom work. As they were gathered in one accord in the Upper Room, a dynamic was released that filled them to overflowing and transformed their lives.

There is a marked difference in the disciples that we read about in the Gospels and the ones that we read about in the Book of Acts. They went from being full of fear to full of faith…from cowards hiding behind closed doors to boldly confronting the religious leaders. Dynamic miracles began to happen through their lives, all because of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

The good news is that what happened for the 120 in the Upper Room is still available today for any that would surrender their lives to Jesus and ask for the Holy Spirit’s power. Why settle for mundane existence when you can live in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Did you know that Pastor Farrell takes delight in the outdoors? There is nothing much more relaxing than taking a hike in the woods and enjoying the wonder of God’s creation.

May 6, 2010

Acts 1
Lynell McCrary

So often I find myself driving along the road, looking into the sky to try and predict the weather for the day. I wonder if the weather report that I heard will be accurate and the timing of any predicted weather changes.

In Acts 1:9-11, I am reminded of a different purpose for looking intently into the sky. I can only imagine the awe and wonder on the men’s faces as they watched Jesus ascend into the sky and become hidden from sight.

In our familiarity with this recorded story in Acts, we can easily assume that Christ is not coming back today. How quickly would we change our priorities for the day, if we knew that it was our last day before the rapture?

The next time that you look into the sky, view it as if you expect to see His return. Would you change your priorities for the day?

Did you know? In college, our Connections Director played basketball, ran cross-country and did the heptathlon on the track team, going to national competitions in basketball and track.

May 5, 2010

John 21
Pastor Derek Floyd

When God Repeats Himself

Have you ever had a moment where you think that something feels familiar, or as if you’ve done it before?

As we read in John 21:1-6, the disciples probably had such a moment when, after fishing all night “again,” a voice called out from the beach: “have you caught any fish?” When the disciples responded “no,” Jesus told them to throw out their nets on the right side and there, they would find fish. The obedience to this request was immediate and the catch was huge. Three years before, Peter was asked to cast his nets one more time after fishing all night and his response was less than enthusiastic. Yet this day, Peter’s perspective was shaped by a lesson learned.

At times, God may take us back to certain circumstances – in many cases, back to a glorious life-changing moment – to show that He’s still God and that He’ll never walk away from the work He’s begun in us.

Three times Peter was asked (verses 15-17), “do you love me?” Remember that it was three times in which Peter denied that he even knew the Savior. We’ve all failed, but the good news is this: “go and feed my sheep” (verse 17). Jesus wanted Peter to know - and He wants you to know - that even in failure, there’s mercy and forgiveness to begin again.

Is God repeating Himself in your life today? If so, it’s no great mystery to be solved. A simple “yes, Lord” is all that’s required, then watch Him fill your boat with the abundance and overflow experienced only through a life of faith and obedience.

Did you know that Pastor Derek graduated from Bible College on his 41st birthday?

May 4, 2010

John 20
Pastor John Edwards

One of the greatest influences in my life was a 12-year ministry association with a precious woman of God with whom I worked in The Salvation Army. Her life’s example taught me much about compassion-in-action, while providing a healthy perspective on viewing situations “beyond the surface.”

On many occasions, I’ve pondered one of her favorite phrases. Often she would preface a description of something beyond appearances with the words, “in the dark of the night.” That’s when all was quiet, devoid of pretense and loaded with serious introspection.

I was reminded of it again when reading these words from John 20:1-2, “…while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running…and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb…’”

Things can appear very different in the dark. Like Mary Magdalene, we can reach some wrong conclusions there, unless we seek the Light through the pages of His Word and the revelation that comes through vibrant relationship with Him.

Mary Magdalene’s “Light encounter” is reported in verses 14-17. How interesting that Jesus spoke to her, yet she didn’t recognize Him initially. After revelation came, she “…went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’” (verse 18)

In “the dark of the night” of our lives, we can choose to respond from our limited understanding…or press into an encounter with His Light that will dispel the darkness. I invite you to join me in a daily pursuit to make the right choice.

Did you know? In his formative years, Pastor John served as a deacon in the nation’s first merger of a Presbyterian Church US (now USA) and Associate Reformed Presbyterian congregation.

May 3, 2010

John 19
Pastor Wil Mouer

Many of us have heard the story and read the words in scripture about the crucifixion of Christ. We can become so used to it that it no longer moves us.

I remember when I saw the movie “Passion of the Christ.” This depiction of Christ’s crucifixion moved me deeply. In fact, I have trouble watching the movie again, because it is so real and intense. Now whenever I read the passages detailing this event, I go back to those images that were so vivid in the movie.

When I read John 19, I reflect on the high price for sin. Jesus went through all of that agony for you and me. He did it willingly for my sin and the sins of all humanity. What a Savior we have in Jesus!

It challenges me also to live a life free of sin. Sin is not just action, but happens in our thought-life too. We have a decision to make every day - a choice to flee from sin or to allow it to creep into our lives and set up camp. I don’t want sin to have any part of me.

How does the crucifixion of Christ grip you as you read it? Are there sins in your life that you need to once again “nail to the cross” of Christ? Walk out this day as one who acknowledges your new life in Christ.

Did you know? Pastor Wil has lived in 6 different states: Illinois, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kansas and now…North Carolina.